Sai Sudharsan anchors India as Rishabh Pant injury mars gritty first day at Old Trafford

The match began under typical Old Trafford cloud cover, and when Ben Stokes opted to bowl first - the fourth time in a row this series - he backed his seamers to extract early damage. Instead, it was India who emerged more comfortable through the opening session, thanks to a resolute 94-run opening stand between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Rahul played the senior hand with assured judgment outside off stump, while Jaiswal, known for his aggressive strokeplay, reined in his instincts to compile a watchful 52 off 96 balls. England's bowlers, though disciplined, were a shade too full early on, allowing the batters to settle.

It was Chris Woakes who finally broke the stand, finding Rahul's outside edge just before the opener could reach his fifty. Jaiswal fell soon after, nicking Liam Dawson to slip - a big moment for the left-arm spinner, making his first Test appearance in eight years. The dismissal marked the first of what could be several crucial interventions from Dawson, who bowled with excellent control throughout.

At number three, Sudharsan was composed and compact from the outset. Replacing Karun Nair in the XI, the 23-year-old absorbed pressure with minimal fuss, showing a solid temperament for the format. He brought up his half-century with a sweetly timed drive off Joe Root, becoming the first Indian No. 3 to pass fifty since March 2024.

But his innings, and India's rhythm, were disrupted in the post-tea session by Pant's unfortunate injury. After briefly counterattacking - including a signature slog-sweep and a reverse-sweep attempt - Pant under-edged a Woakes delivery onto his foot. The sound and his immediate reaction were concerning. Replays confirmed a painful blow to the base of the foot, and after treatment, he had to be taken off on a cart, visibly in discomfort.

Sudharsan fell shortly after, again to Stokes - the third time he's fallen to the England captain this series - mistiming a pull to long leg. His 55 had held the innings together, but his exit exposed a lower middle order that still had work to do.

In a curious move, India sent in Shardul Thakur ahead of Washington Sundar, with the light fading and England preparing for the second new ball. Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja survived the final 9.1 overs of the day, but the tension was palpable. England's fielders, led by a theatrically energetic Harry Brook, kept the energy high despite the day's slow scoring.

By stumps, India had posted a total that neither seizes control nor surrenders it - fitting for a day where both teams had moments but failed to land a decisive blow. The series remains finely poised, but with Pant's fitness in doubt, India may already be dealing with a costly blow off the field.